Encyclopedia entry
Poor
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 8 distinct subjects under Poor. Jump to one below, or read in order.
- 1.They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev.
- 2.In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields…
- 3.In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev.
- 4.Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went…
- 5.In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deut.
- 6.Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deut.
- 7.They shared in the feasts (Deut.
- 8.Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Lev.
The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important.
Poor (1)
#They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19, 21).
Poor (2)
#In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6).
Poor (3)
#In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30).
Poor (4)
#Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deut. 15:7-11).
Poor (5)
#In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deut. 15:12-15; Lev. 25:39-42, 47-54).
Poor (6)
#Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29; 26:12, 13).
Poor (7)
#They shared in the feasts (Deut. 16:11, 14; Neh. 8:10).
Poor (8)
#Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Lev. 19:13).
In the New Testament (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Gal. 2:10; James 2:15, 16) we have similar injunctions given with reference to the poor. Begging was not common under the Old Testament, while it was so in the New Testament times (Luke 16:20, 21, etc.). But begging in the case of those who are able to work is forbidden, and all such are enjoined to “work with their own hands” as a Christian duty (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:7-13; Eph. 4:28). This word is used figuratively in Matt. 5:3; Luke 6:20; 2 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 3:17.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) “the poor shall never cease out of the land.” Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned:
The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 25:3,5,37) etc. Permanent bondage forbidden, and manumission of Hebrew bondmen or bondwomen enjoined in the sabbatical and jubilee years. (Leviticus 25:39-42,47-54; 15:12-15) Portions from the tithes to be shared by the poor after the Levites. (14:28; 26:12,13) The poor to partake in entertainments at the feasts of Weeks and Tabernacles. (16:11,14) see Nehe 8:10 Daily payment of wages. (Leviticus 19:13) Principles similar to those laid down by Moses are inculcated in the New Testament, as (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15)
In the Bible
208
Verses where Poor is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
- 1 Samuel 2:7
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- 1 Samuel 2:8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.
- 1 Samuel 18:23
But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:10
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
+202 more verses naming Poor.
Scripture on Poor
137
See all 137 +−
- Exodus 23Deuteronomy 24Psalms 10Proverbs 19Proverbs 22Job 24Psalms 72Exodus 222 Samuel 12Psalms 109Proverbs 13Proverbs 14Proverbs 29John 12Galatians 21 Samuel 2Job 5Job 20Job 29Job 31Job 34Job 36Psalms 69Psalms 74Psalms 82Proverbs 10Proverbs 21Proverbs 30Proverbs 31Ecclesiastes 4Ecclesiastes 9Isaiah 3Isaiah 10Isaiah 14Jeremiah 52Ezekiel 18Amos 2Amos 5Amos 8Zechariah 11Matthew 5Matthew 26Mark 12Mark 14Luke 3Luke 6Luke 14Luke 21Acts 6Acts 102 Corinthians 8Revelation 3Genesis 41Genesis 48Exodus 30Leviticus 14Leviticus 23Leviticus 27Deuteronomy 14Deuteronomy 16Judges 6Ruth 31 Samuel 182 Kings 25Nehemiah 8Esther 9Job 30Psalms 9Psalms 12Psalms 14Psalms 22Psalms 34Psalms 35Psalms 37Psalms 40Psalms 41Psalms 49Psalms 68Psalms 70Psalms 86Psalms 107Psalms 112Psalms 113Psalms 132Psalms 140Proverbs 11Proverbs 17Proverbs 18Proverbs 20Ecclesiastes 5Ecclesiastes 6Isaiah 11Isaiah 25Isaiah 26Isaiah 29Isaiah 32Isaiah 41Isaiah 58Isaiah 61Isaiah 66Jeremiah 2Jeremiah 5Jeremiah 20Jeremiah 22Jeremiah 24Jeremiah 39Jeremiah 40Ezekiel 16Ezekiel 22Daniel 4Amos 4Habakkuk 3Zephaniah 3Zechariah 7Matthew 11Matthew 19Mark 10Luke 4Luke 7Luke 12Luke 16Luke 18Luke 19John 13Romans 151 Corinthians 132 Corinthians 62 Corinthians 9Ephesians 41 Thessalonians 42 Thessalonians 3Revelation 13
Entries that reference Poor
1
Poor references
13
Voices on Poor
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.